Chippewa Hotel Waterfront and Pink Pony Restaurant

Cook the Summer of Your Life on Mackinac Island

Imagine a place where cars are banned, horse-drawn carriages clip-clop past Victorian porches, and the smell of fresh fudge drifts down the main street. That place is Mackinac Island, Michigan – one of America’s most beloved summer destinations – and it’s where you’ll be living and working as a Cook, Cook Assistant or Prep Cook at the Chippewa Hotel Waterfront and the world-famous Pink Pony Restaurant.

The Pink Pony is a legend on the Great Lakes: sailors from the Chicago-to-Mackinac race, families on holiday and island locals all gather on its waterfront deck for burgers, whitefish, and sunsets over Lake Huron. If you love the energy of a busy kitchen and want a summer story nobody else at university can beat, this is your job.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Preparing ingredients: washing, peeling, chopping vegetables, portioning proteins and making sauces, soups and salads
• Cooking dishes on the line (grill, fryer, sauté) according to recipes and quality standards
• Plating dishes attractively and getting orders out quickly during busy service
• Following food safety, hygiene and HACCP-style sanitation rules at all times
• Receiving deliveries, rotating stock and keeping storage areas organised
• Cleaning your station, equipment and kitchen at the end of each shift
• Working as part of an international team with American chefs and supervisors

Position Details

• Employer: Chippewa Hotel Waterfront & Pink Pony Restaurant
• Position: Cook / Cook Assistant / Prep Cook
• Location: Mackinac Island, Michigan, USA
• Pay: $11.67 per hour
• Hours: approximately 40 hours per week
• Season: Summer to Fall
• Tips: Not applicable for this position

Why Mackinac Island?

Mackinac Island is a 3.8-square-mile island in the straits between Lake Huron and Lake Michigan, reachable only by ferry or small plane. There are no cars – you’ll get around by bicycle, just like everyone else. Between shifts you can cycle the 8-mile shoreline road, swim in the crystal-clear water, hike to Arch Rock, explore Fort Mackinac, taste the island’s famous fudge, and watch spectacular sunsets from the harbour.

The island’s summer workforce is made up of hundreds of students from all over the world, so you’ll instantly become part of a huge, friendly international community. Evenings mean bonfires, beach hangouts, staff parties and lifelong friendships. And when your programme ends, Chicago, Detroit and Toronto are all within reach for travelling.

What You’ll Gain

• Real, paid experience in a high-volume American kitchen – excellent for your CV
• Fast improvement in your English, especially professional kitchen vocabulary
• A steady 40-hour schedule with the possibility of extra hours in peak season
• Employer support with housing and orientation on the island
• Friends from dozens of countries and a summer you’ll talk about for years

Who We’re Looking For

• University students aged 18–25 eligible for the Work & Travel USA (J-1) programme
• Conversational English – enough to understand tickets, recipes and instructions
• Some kitchen or cooking experience is a big plus, but a strong willingness to learn matters most for prep/assistant roles
• Physically fit: able to stand for long shifts, lift up to 20 kg and work in a hot, fast-paced kitchen
• Reliable, punctual, clean and a genuine team player
• Flexible availability including evenings, weekends and holidays
• Comfortable living on a small island where bikes replace cars

Ready to Apply?

Positions at Mackinac Island’s most iconic restaurant fill up early every season. Apply now, secure your place in the Pink Pony kitchen, and turn your summer break into an unforgettable American adventure.